ZR1 Coupe

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Review

2012
Chevrolet
Corvette Review

America takes on European supercars...and keeps up

Reviewed by Automotive on
10/21/2011

Overview

Talk about a car that needs no introduction. The Chevrolet Corvette has been America's premiere -- and often only -- two-seat sports car for nearly 60 years. Yet it's only with the current generation, known to fans as the "C6," or sixth-generation Corvette, that Chevy's sports car has earned the respect of its international competitors it has sought.

With a choice of three V-8 engines, six-speed manual or automatic transmissions, and plentiful standard and optional features, there's a Corvette for just about anybody. That is, as long as you're willing to overlook a few of the car's flaws. The interior materials, for example, are well below the 2012 Corvette's price tag, although a package to upgrade the interior is available. In today's green-based buying culture, the Corvette's prodigious fuel consumption will make Prius drivers shudder. But for the money, it's hard to beat the Vette's incredible acceleration, cornering and braking performance.

Chevrolet continues its 100th year birthday celebration offering the Chevrolet Centennial Edition appearance trim for both the standard Z06 models and the ZR1. Two additional packages -- the Z07 for the Z06 and the PDE for the ZR1 -- also offer substantial enhancement to the Corvette's performance. Otherwise, the 2012 Chevy Corvette's changes are incremental for the new model year which includes a new steering wheel and available exterior paint.

What's New

For 2012, Chevrolet adds the Chevrolet Centennial Edition that comes standard with Magnetic Selective Ride Control in addition to exclusive features like exterior color, wheels, and badges. The 2012 Chevy Corvette gets a new steering wheel, upgraded interior, and two new exterior paint colors: Carlisle Blue Metallic and Carbon Flash Metallic. The Chevy Z07 and PDE packages upgrade the 2012 Chevy Corvette with new tires and wheels. Premium Bose music system is now available.

Exterior

A carbon hood is now available for the 2012 Chevy Corvette. Also, the Chevrolet Centennial Edition for the 2012 Chevy Corvette Z06 and ZR1 comes with exclusive Centennial badges; carbon flash metallic paint; and satin-black graphics and wheels. Buyers can select brake caliper colors (red, yellow, silver or gray) and two new exterior colors--Carlisle Blue Metallic and Carbon Flash Metallic--are now available.

Interior

Chevrolet answers critics of the Corvette by upgrading the interior with new cloth seat fabrics; contrast stitching (red, blue, yellow) for leather interior option; and available Bose entertainment system which includes nine speakers.

Performance & Handling

The 2012 Chevrolet Corvette continues to offer straight-line thrills, effortlessly blasting from zero to 60 mph under four seconds. Yet despite the powerful engines, the Chevy Corvette is comfortable as a day-to-day cruiser offering even decent fuel economy for the frugal sports enthusiast. The Z06 model ups the ante with a bigger V-8 engine and handling that's tuned for the track. Then there's the ZR1, with a supercharged V-8 engine, bigger wheels and tires, and performance that makes all but the most expensive Italian exotics hide.